Concerning the generation of men, however, from each other, after what
manner, and from what particulars, it may be most properly effected, law,
and temperance and piety at the same time co-operating, will be, I think,
as follows. In the first place, indeed, this must be admitted,—that we
should not be connected with women for the sake of pleasure, but for the
sake of begetting children.
For those powers and instruments, and appetites, which are subservient
to copulation, were imparted to men by Divinity, not for the sake of
voluptuousness, but for the sake of the perpetual duration of the
human race. For since it was impossible that man, who is born mortal,
should participate of a divine life, if the immortality of his genus
was corrupted; Divinity gave completion to this immortality through
individuals, and made this generation of mankind to be unceasing and
continued. This, therefore, is one of the first things which it is
necessary to survey,—that copulation should not be undertaken for the
sake of voluptuous delight.
In the next place, the co-ordination itself of man should be considered
with reference to the whole, viz. that he is a part of a house and a
city, and (which is the greatest thing of all) that each of the progeny
of the human species ought to give completion to the world[19], if it
does not intend to be a deserter either of the domestic, or political,
or divine Vestal hearth.
For those who are not entirely connected with each other for the sake of
begetting children, injure the most honourable system of convention. But
if persons of this description procreate with libidinous insolence and
intemperance, their offspring will be miserable and flagitious, and will
be execrated by gods and demons, and by men, and families, and cities.
Those, therefore, who deliberately consider these things, ought not, in a
way similar to irrational animals, to engage in venereal connections, but
should think copulation to be a necessary good. For it is the opinion of
worthy men, that it is necessary and beautiful, not only to fill houses
with large families, and also the greater part of the earth[20], (for man
is the most mild and the best of all animals,) but, as a thing of the
greatest consequence, to cause them to abound with the most excellent
men.
For on this account men inhabit cities governed by the best laws, rightly
manage their domestic affairs, and [if they are able] impart to their
friends such political employments as are conformable to the polities in
which they live, since they not only provide for the multitude at large,
but [especially] for worthy men.
Hence, many err, who enter into the connubial state without regarding
the magnitude of [the power of] fortune, or public utility, but direct
their attention to wealth, or dignity of birth. For in consequence of
this, instead of uniting with females who are young and in the flower of
their age, they become connected with extremely old women; and instead of
having wives with a disposition according with, and most similar to their
own, they marry those who are of an illustrious family, or are extremely
rich. On this account, they procure for themselves discord instead of
concord; and instead of unanimity, dissention; contending with each
other for the mastery. For the wife who surpasses her husband in wealth,
in birth, and in friends, is desirous of ruling over him, contrary to
the law of nature. But the husband justly resisting this desire of
superiority in his wife, and wishing not to be the second, but the first
in domestic sway, is unable, in the management of his family, to take the
lead.
This being the case, it happens that not only families, but cities,
become miserable. For families are parts of cities, but the composition
of the whole and the universe derives its subsistence from parts[21].
It is reasonable, therefore, to admit, that such as are the parts, such
likewise will be the whole and the all which consists of things of this
kind.
And as in fabrics of a primary nature the first structures co-operate
greatly to the good or bad completion of the whole work; as, for
instance, the manner in which the foundation is laid in building a house,
the structure of the keel in building a ship, and in musical modulation
the extension and remission of the voice; so the concordant condition of
families greatly contributes to the well or ill establishment of a polity.
Those, therefore, who direct their attention to the propagation of the
human species, ought to guard against everything which is dissimilar and
imperfect; for neither plants nor animals, when imperfect, are prolific,
but to their fructification a certain portion of time is necessary, in
order that when the bodies are strong and perfect, they may produce seeds
and fruits.
Hence, it is necessary that boys, and girls also while they are virgins,
should be trained up in exercises and proper endurance, and that they
should be nourished with that kind of food, which is adapted to a
laborious, temperate, and patient life.
Moreover, there are many things in human life of such a kind, that it
is better for the knowledge of them to be deferred for a certain time.
Hence, it is requisite that a boy should be so tutored, as not to seek
after venereal pleasures before he is twenty years of age, and then
should rarely engage in them. This, however, will take place, if he
conceives that a good habit of body, and continence, are beautiful and
honourable.
It is likewise requisite that such legal institutes as the following
should be taught in Grecian cities, viz. that connection with a mother,
or a daughter, or a sister, should not be permitted either in temples,
or in a public place; for it is beautiful and advantageous that numerous
impediments to this energy should be employed.
And universally, it is requisite that all preternatural generations
should be prevented, and those which are attended with wanton insolence.
But such as are conformable to nature should be admitted, and which are
effected with temperance, for the purpose of producing a temperate and
legitimate offspring.
Again, it is necessary that those who intend to beget children, should
providentially attend to the welfare of their future offspring. A
temperate and salutary diet, therefore, is the first and greatest thing
which should be attended to by him who wishes to beget children; so
that he should neither be filled with unseasonable food, nor become
intoxicated, nor subject himself to any other perturbation, from which
the habits of the body may become worse. But, above all things, it is
requisite to be careful that the mind, in the act of copulation, should
be in a tranquil state: for, from depraved, discordant, and turbulent
habits, bad seed is produced.
It is requisite, therefore, to endeavour, with all possible earnestness
and attention, that children may be born elegant and graceful, and
that when born, they should be well educated. For neither is it just
that those who rear horses, or birds, or dogs, should, with the utmost
diligence, endeavour that the breed may be such as is proper, and from
such things as are proper, and when it is proper[22]; and likewise
consider how they ought to be disposed when they copulate with each
other, in order that the offspring may not be a casual production;—but
that men should pay no attention to their progeny, but should beget them
casually; and when begotten, should neglect both their nutriment and
their education: for these being disregarded, the causes of all vice and
depravity are produced, since those that are thus born will resemble
cattle, and will be ignoble and vile.